Intimate Partner Violence Evolves with Age
Webinar event date: 
Mar 11, 2026 11:00 am EDT
Webinar Presenters: 
Shelley Murray BSW MSW RSW

Shelley Murray is a registered social worker and recently retired from the Government of New Brunswick after 38 years of service.  She completed her BSW at St. Thomas University in 1987 and 26 years later an MSW from Dalhousie University.  She worked in adult services program, foster home program and child protection before joining the Dept. of Justice as a court social worker.  Assessing clients for intimate partner violence was a key role of the court social worker.  After 16 years as a court social worker, in 2009 Shelley joined Women’s Equality in the Violence Prevention and Community Partnership Unit.  Shelley worked with government and community partners to implement government actions to address gender-based violence.  Most recently, she worked with a dedicated team to support the development of community-based sexual violence services.  Shelley has been a member of the NBASW since 1987 and held positions at both the chapter and provincial level.  She is a life-long learner and believes strongly in seeking out educational opportunities and incorporating knowledge into practice.

Description

The population in Canada is growing older.  The fourth annual report “Perspectives on Growing Older in Canada” released in January 2026 highlights why the way we age matters to Canada’s future.  The experience of intimate partner violence will affect the aging process.  This presentation focuses on raising awareness about intimate partner violence (IPV) among older adults to help professionals better understand how it appears in later life. It explains how the term “older adult” is defined and clarifies the distinction between IPV in later life and elder abuse.  The dynamics of power, control, and violence will be examined and how that presents in older adult relationships. It reviews what is known about the prevalence of IPV among older adults and highlights the challenges involved in identifying and measuring it. The presentation explores how aging can intensify the physical, emotional, social, and financial effects of IPV. Finally, it discusses the factors that increase risk for older adults, including health changes, dependency, and social isolation, with the goal of strengthening professional awareness and improving responses to IPV in later life.

This webinar is intended to increase awareness of intimate partner violence among older adults. Professionals will:

  • Learn how older adult is defined
  • Examine the difference between intimate partner violence (IPV) in later life and elder abuse
  • Explore the prevalence of IPV in older adults
  • Discuss the impact of IPV and aging
  • Learn about factors that increase risk of IPV for older adults